European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas)

Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 5178595

European Green Crab

Carcinus maenas

Also known as Shore Crab, Green Shore Crab, European Shore Crab

European green crabs are opportunistic predators capable of surviving extreme shifts in salinity and temperature. Distinguished by five sharp teeth flanking each eye, these hardy crustaceans dig into soft substrate and shelter beneath rocks to ambush young clams and mussels. Their extraordinary adaptability has allowed them to establish voracious invasive populations along coastal estuaries worldwide.

InvasiveCoastalCrustacean

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Licensed reference(c) Sandy Rae, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

—observations

—countries

—peak records

Least ConcernConservation status

Key facts

Diet & prey

Mussels
Clams
Oysters

Predators

Gulls
Large fish
Sea otters

ThreatsEradication programs in introduced regions and predation by larger marine life

HabitatsIntertidal zones, estuaries, salt marshes, and shallow bays

Life span4–7 years

Size / weightNot available

Classification

OrderDecapoda
FamilyCarcinidae
GenusCarcinus
SpeciesCarcinus maenas

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Pinchers can deliver a painful nip; handle carefully by the rear of the carapace.
Why it is dangerous: Equipped with strong chelae (claws) capable of inflicting painful nips and breaking human skin when handled.
How to recognize a risky encounter: Look for a fan-shaped carapace with five prominent lateral teeth on each side of the eyes.
What to do: Grasp the crab firmly from behind the shell; never place fingers near the front claws.

Responsible observation

Safe Handling: Pick up from behind the shell between thumb and forefinger to avoid claws.
Reporting Invasives: Document sightings with photos and location data in non-native coastal regions.
Tidepool Observation: Gently lift loose rocks at low tide and return them to their original positions.